About Us

Why Fight to Win Lake Norman

Fight to Win Lake Norman is the premier source for instruction in the arts of Gracie Jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai kickboxing in the Lake Norman area. We provide expert technical instruction for kids and adults of all ages and experience levels, with a primary focus on realistic self-defense. We believe in the cultivation of martial arts skills, as a vehicle for total self-improvement.

Our Mission

Our mission is to enhance the lives of each of our students by helping them to achieve their individual goals & optimize their physical, mental & emotional well-being, by providing the highest quality martial arts training, focusing on developing realistic self-defense skills, in a safe, clean, professional, family-friendly environment.

Our Guarantee

We pledge to provide you with a supportive and friendly environment, to operate with the highest level of integrity, to promote excellence in our students and staff, and to be a positive influence in our community.

Jon Plyler

Professor Jon Plyler began his martial arts training at the age of 12. After 15 years of training & teaching traditional martial arts, he began to get involved in the world of grappling. Jon began to train in no-gi submission grappling in 2000 and formally began training Brazilian Jiu-jitsu in 2004 under Professor Paulo “Mushu” Elsimaani and later started training with Alliance Jiu-jitsu of Charlotte under Professor Luis “Sucuri” Togno. In November 2005, he received his blue belt from Master Romero “Jacare” Cavalcanti (founder of Alliance Jiu-Jitsu). In June 2008, Jon received his purple belt and in August 2010 was awarded his brown belt, both under Professor Togno. After Professor Togno tragically passed away in February of 2011, Jon continued his training under Professor Steve Hall, 3rd degree black belt under Master Royce Gracie, & head instructor at Fight to Win Brazilian Jiu-jitsu in Charlotte. On December 9, 2013, after being personally tested by Royce Gracie and a panel of his other black belts, Jon received his black belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu directly from UFC legend Royce Gracie, the son of Gracie Jiu-jitsu Founder, Helio Gracie. Jon has a vast amount of experience in sport Jiu-jitsu, having traveling around the world both as a competitor and as a certified referee for US Grappling and NAGA (North American Grappling Association). Jon also has an extensive background teaching self-defense. With over 15 years of service as a full-time sworn law enforcement officer and instructor, certified by the NC Justice Academy as a specialized defensive tactics and ground defense instructor, Jon has taught defensive tactics and ground defense courses for law enforcement agencies throughout the region. Jon served as the lead defensive tactics instructor for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department for over 5 years.

Ryan Leggett

Ryan began training Gracie Brazilian Jiu-jitsu in 2007 with Royce Gracie Black Belt, Professor Greg Thompson. After moving to Charlotte, Ryan joined the Fight to Win family in 2010, and received his brown belt from Professor Steve…

Ryan Leggett

Ryan began training Gracie Brazilian Jiu-jitsu in 2007 with Royce Gracie Black Belt, Professor Greg Thompson. After moving to Charlotte, Ryan joined the Fight to Win family in 2010, and received his brown belt from Professor Steve Hall in December, 2015. On October 7, 2018, Ryan tested for, and received his black belt in Gracie Jiu-jitsu under Master Royce Gracie. Ryan is currently employed as a full-time law enforcement officer & law enforcement trainer, and is a supervisor with a police tactical team. Ryan is certified by the NC Justice Academy as a defensive tactics and advanced ground defense instructor.

Carlos “Charlie” Canales

Kru Carlos A. Canales started martial arts at the young age of 12 studying Goju Ryu Karate, and later Aikido & Aikijutsu. In 1999, Carlos started his Muay Thai training with Sensei/ Kru Walter Alvarado and has obtained from his professor…

Carlos “Charlie” Canales

Kru Carlos A. Canales started martial arts at the young age of 12 studying Goju Ryu Karate, and later Aikido & Aikijutsu. In 1999, Carlos started his Muay Thai training with Sensei/ Kru Walter Alvarado and has obtained from his professor a Second Degree Black Belt (western rank). Carlos worked as an assistant instructor for Costa Rica Kickboxing (training and teaching from 1999 to 2009), learning from his coach all the fighting secrets and teaching techniques of Muay Thai. In 2004 started his Judo and Japanese Ju Jitsu path under Shihan Guillermo Guzman Hernandez (Kambujutsu Academy), receiving his blue belt in Judo and Ju Jitsu in 2009.

In 2009, Carlos, opened his own martial arts academy in Costa Rica with his friend and professor Sensei Luis Soto Duran Head Instructor of the Danzan Ryu Kodenkan for Costa Rica. In 2013 he obtained Danzan Ryu Judo & Ju Jitsu Kodenkan Self Defense Brown Belt, and later, in 2015, was promoted to black belt in the same system.

In 2010 he became affiliated with Mauro Sergio de Oliveira Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, pioneer of the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Costa Rica and IBJJF World Champion, and obtained his Brazilian Jiu-jitsu blue belt in 2012.

In 2013 Carlos moved to North Carolina. Carlos has become a member of the Fight to Win family, and is a great asset to the team. In addition to continuing his own training, he regularly assists with the youth and adult Jiu-jitsu classes, helping to develop the next generation of Jiu-jitsu practitioners, and pioneered and developed the Muay Thai Kickboxing program at Fight to Win Lake Norman. Carlos earned his purple belt in Jiu-jitsu under Professors Steve Hall/Jon Plyler in January, 2016, and his brown belt in April 2019.

Brent Simpson

Fight to Win Lake Norman Assistant Jiu-jitsu Instructor, Brown Belt

Brent began his martial arts journey studying traditional martial arts, boxing and kickboxing through his childhood and teenage years. In 2009, he was introduced to Judo, Muay Thai and Combat Submission Wrestling at Hard Target…

Brent Simpson

Brent began his martial arts journey studying traditional martial arts, boxing and kickboxing through his childhood and teenage years. In 2009, he was introduced to Judo, Muay Thai and Combat Submission Wrestling at Hard Target under Professor Rob Hunter. In 2010, he began training at Fight to Win under Professor Steve Hall. Brent received his brown belt in December 2016 from Professor Steve Hall. He has extensive military & law enforcement experience, and currently serves as a full time sworn law enforcement officer & defensive tactics trainer for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

Luke Amos

Luke Amos started training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with Yamasaki Academy in 2004 in Northern Virginia. Luke received his blue belt in 2006 and his purple belt in 2008 after training and competing under Professors Mario and Fernando Yamasaki and Professor David Jacobs. After moving to NC, Luke became a part of the Fight to Win team, and was an integral part of the creation of the original Fight to Win Lake Norman academy in Denver, NC. Luke received his brown belt from Professor Steve Hall in July of 2014. Luke is an active duty law enforcement officer & a former physical education teacher, who seeks to use his skills to bring out the best in students.

Mark Kerkhoff

Fight to Win Lake Norman Assistant Jiu-jitsu Instructor, Brown Belt

Mark Kerkhoff grew up in the Midwest and began his training in traditional folkstyle wrestling, where he wrestled all four years in high school and served as team captain. In early 2013, he began training at Fight to Win under Professor Steve Hall.

Mark Kerkhoff

Mark Kerkhoff grew up in the Midwest and began his training in traditional folkstyle wrestling, where he wrestled all four years in high school and served as team captain. In early 2013, he began training at Fight to Win under Professor Steve Hall. He received his blue, purple, and most recently in 2019 his brown belt under Professor Hall. Mark is a certified firearms instructor and active competitive shooter. He currently works as a licensed attorney with his own practice.

Terry Massey

He had previously spent many years in traditional martial arts, training in Moo Duk Kwan/Oh Do Kwan Korean Karate, earning 3rd Degree Black Belt status and becoming a lead instructor in that system.

Over the years of study with Fight to Win Lake Norman, Terry has dedicated a significant part of his life to studying Gracie Jiu-Jitsu principles under the discerning eye of Professor Plyler as his direct apprentice and assistant instructor.

Never losing his love of the Striking Arts, Terry also studies Muay Thai Kickboxing under Kru Carlos “Charlie” Canales and has earned the rank of Advanced Level Nak Muay. Terry also serves as an Assistant Instructor to Kru Canales in the Muay Thai kickboxing program.

Terry is a dedicated student and a highly motivated enthusiast who continues to cultivate his martial arts study and enjoys sharing his passion for the martial arts with the students of Fight to Win Lake Norman. Terry also runs an affiliate program under Professor Plyler/Kru Canales in the Belmont area. His commitment and dedication to those under his instruction is unwavering, and he endeavors to keep martial arts as a positive force in his life.